Synonyms of frugal

frugal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfrü-gəl 

as in economical

careful in the management of money or resources

by being frugal, the family is able to stretch its monthly budget

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economical
• economizing
• thrifty
• saving
• prudent
• provident
• conserving
• sparing
• preserving
• cheap
• scrimping
• foresighted
• penny-wise
• parsimonious
• miserly
• forehanded
• tightfisted
• penurious
• stingy
• spare
• close
• pinching
• foresightful
• penny-pinching
• mean
• tight
• stinting
• closefisted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wasteful
• spendthrift
• profligate
• prodigal
• unthrifty
• improvident
• generous
• liberal
• shortsighted
• charitable
• thriftless
• unselfish
• bountiful
• munificent
• squandering
• extravagant
• unsparing
• indulgent
• lavish
• openhanded
• freehanded

frugality

2 of 2

noun

frü-ˈga-lə-tē 

as in economy

careful management of material resources

her lifelong frugality has enabled her to save enough money to go to college next year

Synonyms & Similar Words

• economy
• saving
• thrift
• parsimony
• prudence
• scrimping
• temperance
• skimping
• husbandry
• providence
• penny-pinching
• conservation
• stinginess
• miserliness
• moderation
• belt-tightening
• retrenchment
• restraint
• austerity
• discretion
• forehandedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• wastefulness
• extravagance
• prodigality
• lavishness
• improvidence
• squandering
• diseconomy

Synonym Chooser

How is the word frugal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of frugal are economical, sparing, and thrifty. While all these words mean "careful in the use of one's money or resources," frugal implies absence of luxury and simplicity of lifestyle.

ran a frugal household

When might economical be a better fit than frugal?

The synonyms economical and frugal are sometimes interchangeable, but economical stresses prudent management, lack of wastefulness, and use of things to their best advantage.

an economical health-care plan

In what contexts can sparing take the place of frugal?

While in some cases nearly identical to frugal, sparing stresses abstention and restraint.

sparing in the offering of advice

When is thrifty a more appropriate choice than frugal?

The words thrifty and frugal can be used in similar contexts, but thrifty stresses good management and industry.

thrifty use of nonrenewable resources

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of frugal

Adjective

The History Of Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate Turns out, frozen orange juice concentrate—particularly the beloved Minute Maid variety—became insanely popular during the 1950s and 1960s, when frugal house-making and frozen foods reigned supreme. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 May 2026

Members expressed the need to be frugal in this process because of that. — Natalie La Roche Pietri, Miami Herald, 16 May 2026

Noun

Unfortunately, that’s the cost of frugality, something that will certainly be the hallmark of Sullivan’s first crack at free agency as GM. — Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2026

Off-mountain Activities Vintage Shopping Ketchum has a treasure trove of vintage and second-hand shops, thanks to a culture of quiet luxury that prizes quality, taste, and frugality. — Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 16 Feb. 2026

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